BENSON, Michael Emil 1868-1938

BENSON, TOLLEFSON

Posted By: Karen Robertson (email)
Date: 12/27/2009 at 16:32:37

Funeral services will be held from the First Lutheran church at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon for Michael Emil Benson, age 70, who died at his home Tuesday, September 27, 1938.

Michael Emil Benson, son of Peter H. and Guri Tollefson Benson, was born November 16, 1868, in St. Ansgar township.

His entire life was spent on the old homestead where he was actively engaged in farming until about 10 years ago.

He was confirmed by Rev. Olsen and remained a member of the First Lutheran church until his death which occurred September 27.

He leaves to mourn the loss of a kind and loving brother, his brother George and his sister Mary.

With the death of Emil Benson the St. Ansgar community loses a gentle, kindly character whose presence will be greatly missed for a long time to come. Active in civic and religious affairs throughout his adult life he has had a decided influence in developing the St. Ansgar community.

He was a member of the St. Ansgar school board off and on for a period of more than 25 years, retiring from that post in the fall of 1936 when he left to spend the winter in California. He served as trustee of St. Ansgar township for more than 20 years. He was one of the organizers of the St. Ansgar Lumber company and served on the board of directors for a number of years. He was a trustee of First Lutheran church for several years, and always took a keen interest in the welfare of the church. When the federal Soil Conservation program was intorduced he was named on that board and has served as one of its directors ever since.

His mother was a member of the Rev. Clausen colony which arrived in 1853, and his father arrived a year later, so he had a keen interest in the early history of the St. Ansgar community. In 1928 when the 75th anniversary celebration was planned, Emil was named chairman of the event and the success and colorfulness of that pageant was largely due to his efficient management and planning.

The 280 acre Benson homestead in St. Ansgar township, obtained by his father from the government during the first years of the Clausen colony have been kept intact by the Benson Brothers, and up until about ten years ago was operated by them.

Mr. Benson had enjoyed appparent good health up until April of this year. In August he submitted to an operation at Rochester, but he seemed unable to stage a comeback and grew worse until his death last Tuesday.

A short service will be conducted from the Benson home at 1:45 tomorrow afternoon. Pall bearers will be H.O. Hendrickson, C.P. Golberg, Harold McKinley, Oscar Koch, H.B. Hanson, and Charles Miller.

[St. Ansgar Enterprise]